Search

This article from Computer Active provides readers with various tips and recommendations from fellow readers. The tips cover a range of topics, including using passkeys for NHS accounts, using single-letter shortcuts in Google Drive, improving visibility on PC keyboards, finding energy-efficient routes on Google Maps, saving money on phone services, using Android boxes to access apps, purchasing software at discounted prices, switching to uBlock Origin as an ad-blocker, and recommending a USB docking station for retrieving data from old hard drives. The article offers practical advice and suggestions for readers to consider. [Extracted from the article]

Loss of power, heat and light, production processes stopped, machinery downtime, inventory ruined, staff idle, safety systems compromised, critical IT system crashes, environmental damage, direct and indirect financial losses, failed [...]

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in June to July 2016 issues including "A reckless gamble," by Robert Patman, "Mind gains," by Jim Flynn, and "Health," by Keith Petrie.

Focuses on the disclosure of confidential option agreements involving one of Brierley Investment Limited's (BIL) United Kingdom holdings to a group of brokers. Impact the option agreement is expected to have on BIL shares; Comments from Mike Drogemuller, spokesman for BIL; Corporate information on BIL.

Presents a summary of news from New Zealand from December, 1997 to January 18, 1998. Reference to BHP signing of a 720,000 tonnes-a-year coal supply agreement with Solid Energy; Warning from Immigration Minister Max Bradford, on fines airlines could face for carrying passengers to New Zealand without the correct documents; Information on issues concerning the Maori tribe.

Reports that analysts from Standard & Poor's Corp. have warned Colonial, a Australian financial services group on the effects of two acquisitions made by the company. Details on the use of debt and equity by Colonial to pay for the purchase of Australian and New Zealand units of Prudental Corp; Expectations of more mergers by Colonial.

Reports that the High Court has imposed a $5.5 million fine against meat companies for what it termed `anticompetitive conduct.' Circumstances surrounding the case; Names of the companies fined by the court; Amount of money the companies were fined; Comments from John Deil, Commission general manager.

Highlights the court case of GPG company versus Tower Corporation in the Court of Appeal in New Zealand. Ruling in the case; Details on another case pending in the High Court at Wellington between the two companies; What will happen if GPG wins the case.

Opinion. Questions what should be done with Mercury Energy, the power company in Auckland, New Zealand. Deterioration of Mercury's network; Amount of money written off by Mercury; Effect of these two problems on Aucklanders.

Reports that the debate over the parent group of Fletcher Challenge Forests' (FCF) company has rekindled following the collapse of the company's earnings. Background information on the company; Argument of FCF directors on what the performance of the group's share price pre-split reflect; How poor performance in one division could affect the capital of the business; Details on the assets of the company.

Profiles Sir Roger Douglas, chief executive officer (CEO) of Brierley Investments Limited (BIL) in New Zealand. Description of Douglas' appearance at an interview at Wellington's Majestic Centre; How Douglas perceives the task of CEO of the company; Details on the board of the company; Information on the company; Changes Douglas want to make at the operational level of the company.

Focuses on the implementation of two management teams at Brierley Investments (BIL) in New Zealand. Roles of the two management teams under the regime; Examples of candidates being considered to oversee the management process; Concerns associated with BIL's direction.

Reports that the New Zealand government has yet to decide if to sell its 66 percent state in the Wellington airport, drawing reference to the success of Auckland's airport float. Indication of a `market-testing' process being conducted by the government; Information on the revenues of Wellington Airport; Reaction of members of the Wellington City Council to the sale.

Reports that several telecommunications companies in New Zealand are launching worldwide advertising campaigns to promote global satellite projects. Identification of companies that are launching campaigns; Value of the projects; Expectations for the campaigns.

Focuses on a delay in the release of a 1998 crisis report on Mercury Energy, following the death of the company's Chief Executive Officer Wayne Gilbert. Challenges facing the company; Individual's expectations on the report's content.

Discusses the concerns regarding the share price which the Auckland Airport in New Zealand, is requesting. Expectations regarding the institutional book-build; Views of various analyst on the issue; Factors which should attract the interest of investors in the airport; Role which the New Zealand economy will play.

Focuses on the plan sale of the Auckland Airport in Auckland, New Zealand, speculating on the benefits of the sale to investors. Amount of shares that will be sold; Warning from brokers; Factor affecting financial performance at the airport; Effect of a 1% movement in international passenger numbers on after-tax profit.

Reports that a High Court ruling in New Zealand, which held that all Tower Group participating policyholders were also members, was appealed by Guinness Peat Group (GPG). Plans of Tower to demutualize and issue shares to its members; Details on the court's ruling; Terms of the Tower Corporation Act 1990.

Reports that in an effort to keep its waste-to-energy plan for Meremere power station on track, Nga Puawaitanga (Meremere) Limited, a subsidiary of Olivine New Zealand, has filed action in the Hamilton High Court. Call for the court to ban local councils from appointing commissioners; Information on Olivine's move.

Reports of the sale of Austotel pub chain by Brierley Investments in Australia. Names of potential buyers; Value of the pub chain with locations in Queensland and New South Wales; Number of pubs to be sold.

Focuses on the concerns of AMP shareholders who sold thier entitlement, regarding the volume weighted average price (VWAP). Impact the VWAP could have on the sale of the entitlements; How the VWAP is calculated; Details in AMP shareholders regarding the VWAP.

Reports on the efforts of Brierley Investments (BIL) of New Zealand, to sell its stake in Thistle Hotels of Great Britain, at existing exchange rates. Amount of shares to be sold; Information on the New Zealand dollar; How BIL stands to profit if the hotel is sold at the exchange rates.

Discusses the economic conditions of New Zealand. Decline in the value of the dollar; Comments from Stuart Marshall, of Bancorp company; Increase in the value of 90-day bank bill rates; Forecast made by Stefan Dunatov, an economist at Hongkong Bank.

Offers information on Brierley Investments' (BIL) electricity generation Wayang Windou project on Indonesia's West Java, highlighting the cost effectiveness of the project on consumers. Details on AsiaPower involvement in contracts with Indonesia's power company, Perusahaam Umum Listrik Negara (PLN); Questions whether consumers will be able to afford the power; What the project is worth; Value of BIL's Asian investments.

Focuses on the changes taking place with the Brierley Investment company (BIL) in New Zealand. Evaluation of BIL investments; Financial information on the company; Questions surrounding the value of the company's assets; Possibility of BIL competitors around the world getting involved in the bid for assets.

Reveals that even though the transition from share certificates to scripless trading has been successful, there are some potential problems for investors with multiple holdings in New Zealand. Use of scripless trading by New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZSE) on May 18, 1998; What type of sytem the NZSE failed to resolve with various share registry companies; Advantages of the system.

Announces that E*Trade Australia is expected to launch an Internet sharebroking service in New Zealand market by the end of 1998. Claims made by the company regarding inquires about the service; Debate of a price war among established service operators; Identification of companies that have established such a service; Name and features of E*Trade's service.

Provides information on the New Zealand newspaper, `Manukau Daily News,' while highlighting Matthew Horton who runs the newspaper. Reference to changes among senior staff; Background information on Horton; Type of information seen in the Daily News; Financial status of newspaper; Comments made by Horton regarding the newspaper. INSET: Paper finds a niche and keeps growing.

Looks at the acquisition of Skellerup Group by Maine Investments in 1996, focusing on the failure of the rescue plan for Maine Investments. How the acquisition was financed; Description of the plan; Information on the two companies. INSET: Revised rescue plan goes to bondholders.

Looks at the savings that customers will gain from energy management applications, with reference to Powerco's Home Power boxes in New Zealand. When use of the Home Power boxes becomes effective; Cost of one box; Installation costs; Estimated amount of money that customers will save; Percentage of household customers and small businesses interested in an energy system.

Focuses on Powerco's Home Power time-of-use metering and energy management system, which gives the company a cost advantage over similar systems in research and development. Number of homes expected to use the system; Details on the device which allows customers to monitor power consumption; Potential benefits of the device; Reference to the company's launch of Energy Centres.

Examines a shift in business strategy of New Zealand whiteware maker Fisher and Paykel (F and P), to a trend known as disintermediation, where distribution layers throughout the economy are stripped out. Details on preparations made for this shift in strategy; Reasons for such a shift; Comments from Gary Paykel, chief executive of F and P; Benefits to F and P of doing its own distribution.

Provides information on the impact of Kirin Brewery's $5.40 stake-building exercise on financial institutions. Percentage of stock Kirin secured; Amount of money the stake-building exercise reached by the close of trade; Questions surrounding the amount of money paid by Kirin in the stake; Comments from Naomichi Asano, Kirin International managing director.

Focuses on the economy of New Zealand. Growth of the economy by 2.3 percent; Views from Bill Birch, finance minister; Reference to a survey carried out.